Coordinates
The cadastral survey provides geometric data relating to land ownership: for example, information about the boundary points of a plot of land. The location of each of these points is indicated using coordinates.
Coordinates are used for describing the exact position of a location on the ground, or on a map or plan. They normally take the form of figures that indicate the distance of the location concerned from the two coordinate axes. Coordinate axes are placed perpendicular to one another and run from south to north or from west to east. The point at which these axes intercept is referred to as the point of origin or «zero» point.
If a location is to be described three-dimensionally, a third coordinate is required that indicates the height.
Since 1903, the calculation of coordinates has been based on oblique cylinder projection. Here the globe is projected onto a cylinder. When the cylinder is «unrolled», a rectangular coordinates system is obtained for Switzerland representing the lines of latitude and longitude encompassing the globe.
The currently valid coordinates of the control points in Switzerland were resurveyed by the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo in the 1990s with a degree of accuracy within the centimetre range, using satellite technology and the Global Positioning System (GPS). We refer to this as national survey 1995 (LV95).
It secures the connection to the European reference system and facilitates the exchange of data beyond the country’s borders.
- Further information: Local Swiss reference frames
Contact
Geodesy and Federal Directorate of Cadastral Surveying
Cadastral surveying and PLR Cadastre
Telephone +41 58 464 73 03
E-Mail